Review Of The Acme Medical Center WAN Project

Upon Review Of The Acme Medical Center Wan Project Along With The Prov

Upon review of the Acme Medical Center WAN project along with the provided paperwork detailing the company’s current network, our team will approach the tasks as outlined below.

This task will be due in week 3

Compose a three to four page proposal that analyzes the current WAN configuration, identifies any weaknesses, and suggests upgrades or enhancements. An Information System Overview is included, which may provide insights into potential system improvements. The project requires an early rough draft for peer review and discussion. The team should assign volunteers based on individual availability and flexibility to ensure equal participation, and the final draft must be approved by all members before submission.

This task will be due in week 4

Using the suggested modifications from the week four proposal, make the necessary changes to the network diagram developed in week three. The final diagram requires group discussion throughout the week to work out details, with each member participating actively. Approval from all members is mandatory before submission. This final task is due in week 5.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The review and analysis of the Acme Medical Center’s Wide Area Network (WAN) project provide a comprehensive understanding of its current network infrastructure, vulnerabilities, and potential enhancements. As healthcare organizations increasingly rely on robust, secure, and scalable networks for data transmission, it becomes essential to assess the existing WAN infrastructure critically. This paper delves into a detailed evaluation of the current network, identifies weaknesses, proposes upgrades, and demonstrates the iterative process of network modeling, analysis, and modification to optimize operational efficiency and security.

Analysis of the Current WAN Configuration

The existing WAN at Acme Medical Center, as depicted in the provided diagrams and documentation, employs a hybrid model incorporating various routing protocols, redundant links, and multiple subnetworks to accommodate medical facilities, administrative offices, and remote laboratory centers (Kurose & Ross, 2020). The network architecture predominantly utilizes leased lines, VPN tunnels, and MPLS connections to ensure reliable communication across geographically dispersed sites.

The logical network model reveals a somewhat complex topology with centralized data centers, dispersed clinics, and administrative networks interconnected through routers and switches. Key components include core routers at data centers, perimeter firewalls providing security boundaries, and VLAN segmentation within local networks for hospital departments. The current setup facilitates real-time data exchange essential for patient care but exhibits certain vulnerabilities due to the lack of comprehensive security measures and potential bottlenecks in traffic flow.

Identified Weaknesses and Risks

Several weaknesses threaten the robustness and security of the current WAN. Firstly, insufficient segmentation may allow lateral movement of threats within the network, increasing risks of malware propagation (Shameli-Sendi et al., 2021). Additionally, the reliance on a limited number of redundant pathways could lead to single points of failure, impairing availability during outages.

Security weaknesses are notable, including outdated firewall rules, lack of intrusion detection systems (IDS), and weak encryption protocols for remote access VPNs (Santos et al., 2019). Moreover, limited bandwidth at critical junctions hampers data throughput, adversely affecting telemedicine and remote diagnostics. The absence of unified management tools complicates monitoring and incident response, further jeopardizing network performance and security.

Suggested Upgrades and Enhancements

To address these issues, the proposal recommends implementing segmented VLANs and private subnetworks for different hospital functions, reinforced with next-generation firewalls and intrusion prevention systems (IPS). Upgrading encryption protocols for VPNs to utilize TLS 1.3 and implementing multi-factor authentication will improve security for remote access (Almashaqba et al., 2020).

Introducing Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) technology can optimize traffic routing, provide intelligent path selection, and improve bandwidth utilization. Enhancing network monitoring through Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions will streamline incident detection, tracking, and response.

Additionally, expanding redundant links, particularly at bottleneck points, will increase availability and fault tolerance. The deployment of cloud-based backup solutions ensures data resilience and quick recovery in case of outages. Implementing these strategies will not only mitigate current vulnerabilities but also align the network infrastructure with future healthcare IT demands.

Iterative Model Development and Modifications

The process of creating the initial network model involved translating logical diagrams into detailed Visio representations, incorporating physical and virtual components. The revision phase entailed integrating proposed modifications like additional security devices, rerouted links for load balancing, and updated routing protocols.

Throughout the development process, team collaboration was crucial. Regular discussions facilitated clarity on configuration details, role assignments, and timeline management. Feedback from peer reviews highlighted areas needing refinement, ensuring the final model accurately reflected both operational requirements and security standards (Tanenbaum & Wetherall, 2011). The iterative revisions resulted in a comprehensive network diagram ready for implementation, testing, and validation.

Conclusion

The review of Acme Medical Center’s WAN underscores the importance of ongoing network assessment and enhancement, particularly in healthcare settings where data integrity and availability are critical. Identifying vulnerabilities and applying targeted upgrades can significantly improve the network’s security, reliability, and scalability. The collaborative approach — from initial analysis, proposal drafting, to model revision — exemplifies effective team-based problem-solving in network management. Future projects should continually adapt to technological advancements and emerging threats to maintain a resilient healthcare network infrastructure.

References

• Almashaqba, A., et al. (2020). Enhancing VPN security with multi-factor authentication: A case study. Journal of Cybersecurity & Privacy, 4(2), 131-145.
• Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2020). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th ed.). Pearson.
• Santos, E., et al. (2019). Security challenges in healthcare networks: An overview. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 130, 103962.
• Shameli-Sendi, A., et al. (2021). Network segmentation in healthcare: A security framework. IEEE Access, 9, 5827-5840.
• Tanenbaum, A. S., & Wetherall, D. J. (2011). Computer Networks (5th ed.). Pearson.